Agenda item

The Deputy Leader of the Council presented the Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2021-2026 - September 2024 Update. The report not only outlined the Sporting Events that have occurred since March 2024, but also detailed the following:

A.    An overview of the work undertaken to support the Sport and Physical Activity Strategy.

- Physical Activity Initiatives for Council Employees

- Partnership and Collaborative working

- Leisure Facilities

- Active Lincolnshire

- Amendments to the Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2021-2026

B. The Active Lives Survey

The Chairman disclosed that he had a meeting arranged with the Chief Executive to co-ordinate a dialogue between SKDC and private sports providers.

It was suggested by a Member to liaise with schools in an attempt to try and encourage family bike rides. Another Member commented that such bike rides were regularly facilitated across the districts many cycle routes. However, there was a particular issue with a route raised by the Member who pledged to email specific details of the issue to the Chairman outside of the meeting.

A Member praised the hard work of the Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead.

The Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead was asked by a Member whether there were any plans for the ‘National Fitness Day’ on 18 September 2024. The Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead confirmed the plan to roll out a ‘10 at 10’ Programme – encouraging staff members to undertake 10 minutes of exercise at 10am. This rollout was to be accompanied with a blog by the Communications Team.  

The Vice-Chairman commented that LeisureSK had organised for a group of individuals to visit the markets via cycling. It had seemed fairly popular, but the Vice-Chairman was unsure of its future.

A Member suggested facilitating an activity weekend between different sports clubs, particularly in Grantham where there were many sports clubs. This could have been trialled, allowing individuals to try new sports. The Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead confirmed that a Health and Wellbeing weekend had previously been held in both Bourne and Stamford, and they were looking at holding one in The Deepings.

Another Member supported the idea of co-ordinating designated weekends and praised the materials published within the appendix of the report.

A comment was made that the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Archery Association had publicly called on social media for a Sports Forum across the district involving all able-bodied and disability sports clubs. It was suggested that SKDC could be involved in facilitating this. The Chairman recognised this and requested that the Member sends further information which the Chairman could include in his discussions with the Chief Executive. 

Another Member reminded the Committee about the Dysart Family Fun Day which was a similar event with several sports clubs involved. The Member advocated raising awareness of the event and trying to get more sports clubs involved. It was suggested that this should be workshopped prior to being presented at a subsequent Committee meeting.

The Vice-Chairman commented that communication around sports associations should be improved and suggested using the Council produced SK Today magazine as a mechanism for this.

The Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead confirmed that activity providers are encouraged to upload their activities to the ‘Let’s Move Activity Finder.’

It was proposed, seconded, and following a vote it was AGREED:

1.    That the results of the future Active Lives survey data will form part of regular six-monthly updates and were noted.

2.    That the refreshed Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, which included the amendments previously agreed upon at the meeting of Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny held on 26 March 2024 be recommended for approval.